Fusion

Bouligan: a pétanque player who loves the game in its infinite variety and who does not conform to rules that prevent enjoyment of the sport. Bouligans love the game as it was invented back in 1910 France, played in city squares of Marseilles. Play and have fun.

At Jamison Square we have the same atmosphere, the trees, the uneven ground, the spectators and occasionally the sun too. Come and play and have fun. Play is held twice a week on non raining days, Wednesdays after 4 pm until dark in the summer, and Saturday mornings from 10 am until lunch or later. Play is open to the young, the old and is strictly non-discriminatory.

Petanque began in "la Ciotat" France in 1910 when Jules "le noir" was moping at the sight of his friends playing the "Jeu Provencal". He suffered terrible arthritis and it was no longer possible for him to play the "Jeu Provencal" which unlike Petanque requires the players to take running steps during the act of throwing the boules. During that fated day, his emotions got the better of him when a competitor's boules landed at his feet. Seeing his obvious sadness his friend Ernest Pitiot, who happened to be the owner of the local bar on the Beraud property, proposed that they play a "petit jeu" (small game) and that it would be "ped tanco" which in Provencal language means feet planted on the ground thus helping his friend who could not move so much. Extraordinarily, the crowd of onlookers were moved by that kindness and were immediately taken by this new version of the game. That summer of 1910, Ernest happily organized the first official Petanque competition and thus a sport was born.

Flickr - Portland Bouligans' photostream.

Guide #1 - Our helpfull guide to improving your game.

Guide #2 - Our second guide to improving your game.

Petanque America - Genuine boules direct from France.

Basic Rules - The basis rules of Pétanque.

Official Rules - The official rules of Pétanque.

F.I.P.J.P. - Fédération Internationale de Pétanque et Jeu Provençal

LaMarseillaise - The biggest Pétanque tournament in the world.

Boulipedia - A great site for information on boules.